Biography:

Jeremy is an experienced employee share schemes and corporate lawyer with more than 13 years' experience in advising companies of all sizes in relation to their corporate and employee share scheme requirements. He advises on the design and implementation of employee incentive arrangements for private and public companies, including all types of tax-advantaged schemes and unapproved arrangements for senior executives, management and the general workforce.

 He also advises on the share scheme related aspects of corporate transactions and has particular expertise in employee shareholder status. Prior to co-founding Cooper Cavendish, Jeremy was an Associate Director in the Incentives team at international legal practice, Osborne Clarke LLP, which he joined in 2013. Prior to this, Jeremy was a Senior Associate in the corporate team at Osborne Clarke LLP, where he led a broad range of transactions, including mergers & acquisitions, disposals, joint-ventures and company start-ups. Jeremy has advised many companies on constitutional issues and has extensive experience of drafting constitutional documents including articles of association and shareholders' agreements.

Jeremy trained and qualified as a solicitor in September 2004 and has undertaken a number of secondments, including acting as in-house corporate counsel for Zurich Financial Services and has also advised on a key client relationship management project for Osborne Clarke LLP.

Jeremy is a member of the Share Plan Lawyers Organisation and was a speaker at the 2016 annual conference. In 2016 he formed part of a Committee of the Share Plan Lawyers Organisation which has reviewed and provided comments on the HM Revenue & Customs Share Schemes Manuals

Biography:

Stephen leads the Employee Incentives team at Mishcon de Reya. He has significant experience advising on the strategy, design, implementation and compliance of UK and global employee incentive arrangements, including long term incentive plans, all-employee share plans, HM Revenue and Customs tax-advantaged plans, management incentive plans and growth share and joint ownership plans. Stephen also advises on all related corporate, tax and trusts aspects, corporate governance issues, disclosure of directors' remuneration and share dealing regulations.

In addition, Stephen works with companies on the impact that corporate actions have on their incentive arrangements and has acted on many public takeovers, mergers and acquisition, public to private transactions, initial public offerings, capital raising activities and private equity deals.

Stephen also advises on contractual disputes and tax investigations relevant to incentives arrangements.

Stephen works with a wide range of businesses across several industry sectors, including financial services, natural resources, entertainment, aerospace and transport and for companies that are listed on the London Stock Exchange, AIM and overseas exchanges, together with private equity houses, private companies and owner-managed businesses.

Biography:

As a member of the ICAEW and CIOT Nick specialises in technical corporate tax planning and company reorganisations advising on a variety of projects from mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts and demergers to venture capital schemes (EIS/SEIS) and employee incentives including share schemes.

Nick is a regular writer for various tax journals with articles published in Taxation, Tax Adviser and ICAEW Taxline. He also contributes to Tolley's Tax Planning.

Presenting regular lectures to fellow professionals through various CPD providers including MBL, CPDStore and a variety of CIOT branches.

Nick is host of the Jerroms Miller Tax Hour podcast.

Biography:

Dr. Asif Zaman, alongside his academic career, also runs a private consultancy part-time. He is the founder and the CEO of EATAS Consulting LTD, UK (A Corporate Education and Training Consultancy). EATAS Consulting specialises in facilitating organisations adapting to the dynamic and complex business environment and advises corporates on organisational development, management, and leadership training to develop human capital.

Dr. Asif Zaman holds an MBA from the University of Wales, Institute Cardiff (UWIC), and a PhD in Corporate Finance / Islamic Banking and Finance from Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Affiliated professional bodies:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (FHEA), UK since 2011
• Academic Fellow of The Association of International Accountants FAIA(ACAD) since April 2015
• CMBE (Certified Management and Business Educator) by CABS (Chartered Association of Business Schools) since March 2020
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) (CIMA - Candidate), since 2017

His expertise lies in Islamic Banking and Finance, Corporate Finance and accounting, sustainable finance, and FinTech and Digital Finance.

Dr. Asif Zaman has over 20 years of extensive business management experience in diversified industries. His entrepreneurial expertise ranges from sales, retail, and project management to the property development sector. Before entering the world of academia, he successfully managed many small and medium-sized enterprises within the UK and internationally. He has worked with industry professionals in the financial sector for commercial and private lending.

Biography:

Josephine Matambo is the Tax Partner at PKF Chartered Accountants (Zimbabwe) responsible for managing the Tax Service Line. She is a fellow of the Institute of Certified Tax Accountants (ICTA) Zimbabwe and also of the Zimbabwe Institute of Tax Accountants (ZITA). She is a registered tax practitioner with the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB) Zimbabwe.

She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (University of Zimbabwe), Bachelor of Accountancy degree (University of Zimbabwe), and a Tax Administration Certificate (Royal Institute of Public Administration- UK), among other professional and tertiary qualifications. She has an illustrious career history that started in 1981 with the Tax Department in the Government of Zimbabwe where she rose to Assistant Commissioner of Taxes.

Josephine held senior posts in various other accounting firms including being a tax partner at KPMG Angola. She has been an Associate Director in Tax at PwC Zimbabwe and held senior positions in KPMG Mozambique, Coopers & Lybrand/Ernst & Young Zimbabwe and BDO Kudenga & Co Zimbabwe.

She studied VAT systems in South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Kenya and New Zealand, while she was one of the four consultants to the Zimbabwean Government in 1998 to study the then existing indirect tax, propose a VAT system and participate in drafting the VAT law upon introduction of VAT in Zimbabwe. Thereafter she provided VAT consultancy to the Parliament of Zimbabwe and to industrial and commercial bodies in Zimbabwe, as well as VAT training to companies throughout Zimbabwe and established herself as the VAT expert in Zimbabwe at that time. Josephine has tax experience in all sectors in Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Biography:

Nicolas Martins works for a “Big Four” firm, primarily advising on corporate tax matters.

His Master’s Thesis focused on Action XIV of the OECD’s BEPS initiative, and he has since published various other articles on subjects relating to international tax litigation.

Nicolas lives in Brussels and enjoys the gym and classical piano.

Biography:

Briony advises on all aspects of UK employment law, acting for both employers and employees, and advising on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Briony advises on litigation in the Employment Tribunal, including claims relating to unfair dismissal and discrimination. Briony also has experience in Data Subject Access Requests, preparing policies and staff handbooks, drafting contracts of employment and advising in relation to settlement agreements.

Biography:

Karen is a solicitor, as well as being a CTA, with 30 years' experience in defending claims against accountants. In that time she saw where claims commonly arose and developed a good understanding of risk, and that led her to writing a well-regarded book on risk management for accountants and tax advisers, and to ultimately passing the Institute of Risk Management exams.

Karen then set up her own business advising professionals on how to manage risk in their own businesses, giving advice in a practical and pragmatic way, to help people avoid the traps that so many unwary have fallen into over the years.

She is a popular and regular speaker at industry events on risk issues, and has set up a 'RiskBites(c) club' to help people with a risk helpline and monthly risk training and discussions.

Biography:

Abdullah Kılınç is the founding partner of Kılınç Advisory, a boutique law firm with presence both in Europe and in Turkey. He specialises in International Tax Structuring, Mergers and Acquisitions transactions and tax litigation works. Abdullah started his career by working at different levels in PwC Istanbul tax advisory department for nine years. In 2014, Abdullah joined a multinational group as a tax manager with the task of building a tax team. Over the years, as a tax director, he established and managed a global tax team responsible for more than 15 countries across 5 industries with presence in 5 countries. In 2021, he founded Kılınç Advisory, and continues to share his professional experience and expertise in tax and legal consultancy with his clients. Abdullah is a member of the Istanbul Bar Association and Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants.

Biography:

Shashi Satyal serves as the Managing Partner of PKF T R Upadhya & Co. in Nepal (PKF Nepal), boasting an impressive track record of over 33 years in serving clients in the realm of taxation. Throughout his tenure at PKF Nepal, Shashi has played a pivotal role within the team, specializing in assurance and tax advisory services.

His extensive experience extends to handling international clients, engaging with officials from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), as well as government organizations. Additionally, Shashi has held the esteemed position of Head of Tax and Advisory Department at PKF T R Upadhya & Co., representing clients during tax assessments, appeals for administrative review, and obtaining Advance Rulings on cross-border transactions, often serving as an expert before the Revenue Tribunal.

Shashi's professional expertise spans a wide spectrum, encompassing audit services, assurance, business advisory, taxation, investigation, and financial restructuring. His clientele includes public and private enterprises, subsidiaries of multinational corporations, manufacturing companies, banks, financial services institutions, hospitality businesses, infrastructure projects funded and multilateral agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. He possesses the knowledge and proficiency to guide clients in achieving their business objectives while offering a comprehensive array of services to foster their growth and protect their investments in Nepal.

Furthermore, Shashi Satyal has contributed significantly to the financial landscape of Nepal. He served as a member of the Accounting Standards Board in Nepal, playing a pivotal role in the development and implementation of Nepal Financial Reporting Standards (equivalent to IFRS) within the country. As a team leader and engagement partner, he has led various NFRS/IFRS convergence services and NFRS/IFRS financial statement audits across diverse sectors, including banking, government and regulatory bodies, manufacturing, insurance, hydropower, tourism, credit rating agencies, and the service industry.

Shashi Satyal holds a bachelor's degree in commerce with honors from Delhi University and is a qualified chartered accountant certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He is also a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal, cementing his status as a respected and highly capable professional in the field.

Biography:

A corporate tax partner, Cathy is part of Mercer & Hole's team of business tax specialists providing assistance and support to clients across the firm.

All business clients are concerned about their tax burden and, with her team, Cathy offers guidance to business owners and directors across all relevant taxes. This not only involves guiding clients through the complexities of compliance but also looking at some of the more interesting aspects of corporate tax, for example, in relation to business transactions, the structuring of a business, incorporation, research and development (R&D) tax credits and employee share schemes. She therefore provides vital planning support and helps clients to minimise the tax burden for their business.

Cathy has a wealth of experience in the area of business transactions, particularly regarding company re-organisations, demergers, acquisitions, disposals, flotations and take-privates. However, Cathy also assists clients with the personal taxes that affect business owners, for example, regarding succession planning, IHT and capital gains tax planning.

Cathy has contributed chapters on: Selling a company, Buying a company and Franchising for Tolley's Tax Planning and is a regular writer for the firm's SME Plus blog and client newsletters.

An avid football fan, Cathy spends much of her spare time supporting Arsenal both at home and away fixtures.

Biography:

Claire started tutoring students whilst at University studying for a Maths degree.

She joined Deloitte in 2003 where she worked in the Expatriate Tax team dealing with secondments to and from the UK. Whilst working at Deloitte, Claire studied both ATT and CTA and also continued to tutor GCSE/A Level maths students in her spare time.

Given her love of tax and teaching, after qualifying for CTA Claire joined BPP where she trained students in ATT, CTA, ICAEW,ACCA and AAT qualifications. She was also involved in producing materials for the ATT and CTA courses.

Claire is known for bringing her wacky methods into classrooms and in June 2009 she had her maths notes published into a GCSE textbook 'Maths the Wacky Way'. Claire also has popular videos on YouTube to assist maths students.

In early 2011, she joined the Tolley Exam Training team and teaches across the CTA and ATT qualifications in our London venue. Claire is also head of our online courses, looking after the OTL courses and the Tolley Academy.

Biography:

Hemma specializes in supporting U.S. citizens with their U.S. and UK tax reporting obligations, also offering comprehensive advisory services to help clients remain compliant across both jurisdictions. Hemma is known for her practical, client-focused approach and her ability to navigate the complexities of cross-border taxation.

Biography:

Ali Akesbi is a certified chartered accountant, holding the “Expert-Comptable” (French CPA) and with 15 years’ experience in technical accounting and external audit mainly at PwC Paris / Sydney and AD Associes.

Currently Partner at AD Associes Casablanca - Morocco, he is in charge of the audit department and international desk which provide a wide range of services to foreign investors.

Biography:

Susanna Vickers is a licensed Lawyer in Portugal, and a member of the Portuguese Bar Association, holding a LLB (Bachelors degree) in Law from the Nova University of Lisbon, as well as an LLM (Masters degree) in Litigation and Arbitration from the same University, As a bilingual dual national of Portugal and the UK, she has specialised in assisting foreign companies and individuals with relocation to Portugal for several years, using the experience gained from her work at law firms, including Alves Botelho Varela & Associados - Sociedade de Advogados, SP, R.L., commonly known as ABV Advogados.

Susanna was one of the authors of the Portugal country guide in Tolley’s Global Mobility/Employment Taxes.

Biography:

Neil has worked in VAT for 33 years. He spent 14 years as an inspector in HM Customs and Excise before setting up his own tax and accounting practice in 1997. He provides VAT consultancy advice for a range of chartered accountants in the south-east of England and also writes extensively on VAT for most of the leading tax publications in the UK, including Taxation and Tax Adviser. He has liaised closely with HMRC on many policy matters, particularly relating to the flat rate scheme, and is a member of the VAT technical committee of the ATT.

Neil won the Taxation Awards Tax Writer of the Year in 2008, having been shortlisted the previous year. He is a fellow member of both the CIOT and AAT and also a member of the ATT. He was on the national CPD speaking circuit for eight years until his retirement in 2014.

Biography:

Abdulrahman Azzouni is a legal professional with an LL.B from the University of Sharjah and an LL.M from Pennsylvania State University, where he specialized in Tax and Corporate Law. Abdulrahman have gained extensive experience as a corporate lawyer in Saudi Arabia, handling a broad range of corporate law cases and providing compliance support to companies. Abdulrahman’s interests includes mergers and acquisitions, tax law, and managing complex legal matters.

Biography:

Nathalie Varga is a managing director at PKF Österreicher & Partner GmbH & Co KG and advises companies of various sizes and sectors on all tax and business management issues. Since passing the tax advisor exam in 2016, she has also specialised in VAT issues.

She professionally advises clients on a daily basis on all domestic and international VAT issues, while always keeping an eye on other tax topics as well. In addition to VAT, Nathalie is also an expert in the field of group taxation.